November 2006 ISSUE
Members Put on a Great Science Showing
BY JEANNE KEASCHUK
Outreach Program Supervisor
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Everybody Rocked Above: Canmore boys are on geological dig for bones and shells at the APEGGA Rock & Fossil Clinic. |
Hosting
events to celebrate Alberta Science and Technology Week took time and energy
on the part of a corps of helpful volunteers. But based on the comments below
from the public, all that work during the week of Oct. 13 to 20 was well worth
it.
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I had so much fun doing all the science things!
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This is just wonderful! Any seeds you can plant about the importance of science and technology are important at this age.
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I have been meaning to write APEGGA to thank you for putting on such a great event (Rock & Fossil Clinic). We came last year, too.
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I love the Rock & Fossil Clinic. My sister and I have come for several years. We brought another box of samples we gathered this year and we can’t wait to find out what we found. The geologists are great, we learn a lot from them, and we love talking to them.
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Our school community loved the elementary science night that the engineers and geologists held. This was just excellent! On behalf of the students, parents and teachers at our school, we thank APEGGA members for bringing this fun science event to our school.
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My daughter and son had great fun at the geoscience workshop making volcanoes and drilling in the cake. Thanks for including the parents in the fun. My daughter is in Grade 9 and she is really good at science and math. It is great for her to learn about different science careers.
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The diamonds and gemstone presenters were awesome and their samples were amazing.
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Top: Monica Westlake, Geol.I.T., lends a hand with the volcano activity at the APEGGA Rock & Fossil Clinic in Canmore. Bottom: Geologists-in-Training Brian Duff and Suzanne Byron analyze sample brought in to the Edmonton Rock & Fossil Clinic. |
As leaders, users and drivers of science and technology, APEGGA members annually step up to the plate to support Alberta’s celebration of Science and Technology Week. The week recognizes and embraces the achievements of Alberta’s science and technology communities, and promotes the role that science and technology play in contributing to the quality of life within Alberta.
Following are some ways members of your Association were involved.
Rock & Fossil Clinics
Albertans are in to rock. They love the old rock, the new rock and the stones
that come from the heavens. They like everything from hard core to metallic right
down to sandstone.
Albertans are rockers of all ages and they were out at the APEGGA Rock & Fossil Clinics in Edmonton and Canmore to ask geologists about their finds. One diehard rocker from High River drove two hours to take in the fun at the Canmore Rock & Fossil Clinic and have her box of samples identified.
People lined up and patiently awaited the opportunity to talk to geoscientists and students, and to learn whether their samples were valuable, old or rare. “It almost broke my heart to have to tell a young boy that his treasure was only beads from a necklace,” said U of C geophysics student Amanda Knowles, “but he didn’t seem to mind.”
The samples came from around the world: Hawaii, Colorado, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, B.C., Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, to name a few. One specimen was identified as being more than 65 million years old.
There was quartz, there were various minerals, fossilized bones and plants, lava, petrified wood, many kinds of rock, some rare specimens — and even some stumpers, which are being sent to other geologists for examination.
New activities were added to both Rock & Fossil Clinics this year. In Edmonton, members Pamela Strand, P.Geol., and Lori Walton, P.Geol., dazzled their audience with a diamonds and gemstones presentation and samples.
Successful hands-on geoscience workshops were popular at both clinics. Staff members from the Burgess Shale Foundation joined the APEGGA Rock & Fossil Clinic in Canmore, and their chiseling activity added even more than the usual fun to the clinic.
APEGGA extends sincere thanks to TELUS World of Science in Edmonton and the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre for providing their facilities as sites for the APEGGA Rock & Fossil Clinics.
Science Field Trip
APEGGA, Alberta Innovation and Science, and Calgary’s TELUS World of Science
teamed up to celebrate Science and Technology Week on Oct. 16. Calgary Grade
7 students were at their TELUS World of Science to view the film Wired to
Win, as well as participate in a hands-on science and career workshop run
by APEGGA members.
Elementary Science Night
Students, parents and teachers at Swanavon School participated in the elementary
science fun night held by Grande Prairie members. There were lots of smiles,
science fun, excitement and prizes for participants.
Members enjoyed showing the public the fun side of science and the many things that are simple science. It was a great way for the school community to meet members.
Family Science Olympics
Members of the Medicine Hat Branch supported the annual Family Science Olympics
at Medicine Hat High School. Organizer Patty Rooks of Praxis — The Science
and Technology Hotline said the turnout was wonderful, adding that the event
would not have been possible without APEGGA member support.
Profiles and Posters
Members provided profiles that are featured on the Science and Technology Week
website hosted by Alberta Innovation and Science. Alberta Innovation and Science
created a number of career posters, and one in particular promoting engineering
and geoscience only. APEGGA is printing copies of the poster and members will
distribute them to schools around the province over the next year.